Dr Sharyn Hunter

Career Summary

Biography

Dr Sharyn Hunter is a lecturer at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Newcastle, Australia. She has a passionate interest in the preparation of students for nursing older people and has received awards for her teaching from the University of Newcastle and the Australian Learning and Teaching Council. Sharyn’s research interests include the preparation of health professionals to be work-ready and the development of their clinical reasoning. She has recently published an undergraduate textbook for nurses about healthy ageing and has published and presented papers, both nationally and internationally, in these areas.

Research ExpertiseDr Hunter uses both quantitative and qualitative research methods to conduct and supervise studies about the development of nurse practice, clinical reasoning and simulation. Her PhD on the professional development of Registered Nurses (RN's) in Residential Aged Care (RAC) and the use of multiple case studies approach allowed for the exploration of the topic in real-life context.

Previously, the boundaries between aged care nursing practices and the management of aged care facilities were clear. This study provided evidence of the blurring of these boundaries with respect to the roles and functions of nurses. The multiple sources of data showed recurring patterns of behaviours that led to the development of a model that reflected the changes in RN practices in RAC.

The presence of RN's in aged care is critical. However, staff development includes a need to be proactive, feasible and realistic in the contexts in which aged care is delivered. RAC now provides the opportunity for RNs to practise at an advanced level. It allows for the use of a range of sophisticated skills in critical thinking, problem solving and reflective practice that lead to enhanced delivery of care to residents.

Dr Hunter has been involved in a number of University of Newcastle funded clinical reasoning projects. She was member of a team that explored simulation and clinical reasoning in undergraduate nurses and funded by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council. She is a member of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Evidence Synthesis Group and has trained to undertake systematic reviews for JBI.

Teaching ExpertiseDr Hunter lectures to both undergraduate and postgraduate nursing students, with a focus on the health and illness of the older people. Prior to becoming an academic, Sharyn was a senior clinician working in aged care and facilitated the change of ‘old’ nursing roles in residential and community aged care services. Her research and clinical expertise have been recognised nationally and internationally. She has received awards for her contribution to student learning, the Vice Chancellors Award for Teaching: Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (2008) and Australian Learning and Teaching Council Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (2010).

Sharyn continually strives to improve her teaching and to motivate and inspire her students. She encourages students to follow their interest in nursing older people and to show the career path that is possible for them to achieve, with positive results. "Thank you from myself and also in advance from the elderly I will be caring for with a brighter and renewed sense of care....I'd like to sincerely thank you for all your wonderful guidance and direction you have provided." "Your delivery of the subject always came across with such a great insight and realism that made learning so worthwhile."

Administrative ExpertiseCourse co ordination within the undergraduate and post graduate program; Student Academic Conduct Officer ( held this position for 2 years). Assist with the coordination of the Research Higher Degree Skills Seminars

CollaborationsRegistered Nurse Professional Development in Aged Care Clinical Reasoning in Health Care Simulation in Health Care